PHOTO FROM POE’S OFFICE
Four years after accepting a posthumous National Artist award, the family of late actor Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) remained firm against transferring his remains to the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Senator Grace Poe said there was no need to transfer her father to the heroes’ cemetery since it was FPJ’s choice to be buried beside the tombs of his parents at the Manila North Cemetery.
READ: Poe family not keen on moving FPJ’s remains to heroes’ cemetery
“Noong naging national artist si FPJ, sabi nila ilipat na natin si FPJ sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. May mga nagbigay ng suhestyon na yun dahil sya daw ay isang bayani (When FPJ became a national artist, they urged to transfer his remains to the Libingan ng mga Bayani. There were some who suggested it because they believe he was a hero),” Poe said during the commemoration of her father’s 12th death anniversary on Wednesday.
“Ngunit noong namayapa pa lang si FPJ at bago pa nun, alam na nating bayani sa puso natin dahil tumulong sya sa atin ng taus-puso. Bakit natin illipat? Unang una sya ang pumili sa lugar na ito sapagkat katabi nya ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay lalo na ang kanyang mga magulang.”
(But when FPJ passed away and even before that, we know in our hearts that he was a hero because he helped us wholeheartedly. Why should we transfer his remains? First of all, he chose this place so he could lay beside his parents.)
“At pangalawa at higit sa lahat, alam niya (FPJ) na dito sa Manila North Cemetery, ang pinakamahihirap nating kababayan ay pwedeng pumunta. Kahit anong oras, pwedeng magpa-picture kahit na diyan sa kaniyang tarpaulin. Bakit kailangan pa ng bantayog sa ibang lugar na mahirap abutin?” the senator added.
(Second and most importantly, FPJ knew that here in Manila North Cemetery, our poorest countrymen could enter. Anytime, they could take pictures even beside his tarpaulin. Why do we need to transfer him to a monument in another place where it’s not accessible?)
FPJ, who died on December 14, 2004, was conferred the National Artist award in 2006 by then former President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo but the family only accepted the award in 2012 during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III.
Aside from Poe, FPJ’s widow, veteran actress Susan Roces, was also present in the commemoration along with the senator’s husband Neil, and children Brian, Hanna and Nika, relatives, friends and supporters.
The occasion was marked by a mass officiated by Fr. Larry Faraon followed by wreath laying and brief ceremonies.
Poe capped her speech by thanking FPJ’s supporters for their undiminished love and loyalty.
”Maraming salamat sapagkat sa tingin ko, iilan lamang at mabibilang lang natin sa ating daliri ang mga namayapa na patuloy pa ring pinupuntahan ng ating mga kababayan,” said the senator.
(Thank you very much because I think there are a very few people who passed away whom our countrymen are still visiting.) RAM